ALISON SPITZER

Vice president, Spitzer Management

Some might say Alison Spitzer, 31, was born on an easy road into the car business. But it was her own drive that propelled her to the national forefront as an industry force.

Though she concedes she has been “daddy's little girl” for most of her life — with “daddy” being mega auto dealer Alan Spitzer — Ms. Spitzer said she always has dreamed of working in international relations. She earned a master's degree in international communications from American University in Washington D.C., where she graduated with honors after studying in France, Italy, England and even Cuba.

International relations still might be in the cards for the future, according to Ms. Spitzer. In the meantime, she has made a splash in national relations, acting on behalf of U.S. auto dealers, including her father, who thought they were treated unfairly when General Motors and Chrysler took away dealerships in an effort to consolidate distribution networks.

With her dad, Ms. Spitzer helped dealers face down not only the automakers, but also the federal government backing the car giants. The two saved hundreds of dealerships nationwide in the process and since have written a book on the subject, called “Grand Theft Auto.”

Along the way, her father says, Ms. Spitzer revamped the marketing strategies of his 16 dealerships, including drastically increasing their Internet marketing.

“She has gained the respect of seasoned veterans twice her age, not only within our organization, but with executives from the auto manufacturers as well,” Mr. Spitzer said.

Ms. Spitzer says she doesn't know if she'll spend her entire career in the car industry. But she wanted business experience when she began working with her father in 2007 and figured, “If I was going to help any company grow, it would be my family's company,” she said.

Aside from her career, Ms. Spitzer raises her 2-year-old daughter, Vera, and her baby son, Archer, with her husband, Jeremy Swartz. She might not be done advancing her motherhood career, either.

“I've always wanted to have four, and my husband would love to have four,” said Ms. Spitzer, who is one of four siblings herself.

“But my mom stayed home and was able to completely focus on us. We'll see how it goes,” she said. “I don't want my kids to look back and say, "My nanny raised me.'”

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